Improved car-coupling



VAN VOLKENBURGH;

Car Coupling.

Patehted July 31, 1866.

Inventor:

WI m

I II

Witnesses;

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

' W. VAN VOLKENBUBGH, OF 'SMITHVILLE, NEW YORK.

IMPROVED CAR-COUPLING.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 56,837, dated July 31, 1866.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, W. VAN VoLKEN- BURGH, of Smithville, in the county of J efferson and State of New York, have invented a new and Improved Oar-Coupling; and I do hereby declare that the following is a full,

'clear, and exact description thereof, which pulled forward under the draft-power, thereby avoiding the sudden jars now occasioned by the stopping and starting of cars.

The invention further consists in a novel latch arrangement for holding or securing the shackle in the draw-head, and also in the application of side springs to the draw-head, to admit of an easy lateral movement of the latter under the side swinging of the cars.

A represents the lower part of a car-body, and B the draw-head at one end thereof. This draw-head may be of the usual flaring form, constructed of wrought or cast iron, and connected at its rear end to a rod, 0, by a joint, D, which admits of a lateral movement or play of the draw-head, and the opening in the end of the platform through which the draw-head projects has a semi-elliptic spring, E, attached to each side of it in a vertical position. The joint D and springs E admit of an easy lateralplayof the draw-head and car.

The rod O is fitted in a frame, F, placed in the bottom of the car and firmly secured in position. The rod 0 is allowed to slide freely in the frame F, and it has a transverse bar or cross-head, G, secured firmly upon it within the frame F, guide-rods H H, which are placed in the frame F, passing loosely through the ends of the bar ,or cross-head G, and having spiral springs I I upon them, which resist the pull upon the draw-head B under the draftmovement.

J represents a series of flat springs, which are fitted in the upper surface of the bar or cross-head G, and have their ends fitted in slots in plates at the sides of the frame F, or in any suitable fixtures. These springs J resist both the forward and backward movement of the draw-head, and effectually prevent jars or concussions now occasioned by cars coming in contact, while the spiral springs 1 assist the springs J in preventing the sudden jerks occasioned by the starting of the cars with steam as a motor.

011 the rear end of the rod 0 there is a nut or stop, K, which limits the forward sliding movement of the draw-head in case the resistance of the springs should be overcome by the draft-power, and the bar or cross-head G limits the backward movement of the drawhead by coming in contact with the rear of frame F. Thus, by this simple arrangement, sudden jerks, jars, and concussions caused by the sudden stopping and starting of cars are avoided entirely or materially diminished, and an easy lateral or side-swinging movement of the cars allowed.

Any number of springs I J may be used, as desired.

L represents a fiat spring, the rear end of which is attached to the under side of the draw-head B, and M is a rectangular sliding frame which works in guides at the exterior of the draw-head, and is connected at its upper end by a link, N, with a rod, 0, attached to a lever, P, at the end of the car.

To the lower cross-bar of the frame M there is attached a vertical curved or hook-shaped projection, Q, which forms a latch or catch for the link or shackle and passes up through the bottom of the draw-head, the spring L having a tendency to keep the projection or latch up in the draw-head.

' When the link or shackle R is forced into the draw-head the latch Q is pressed down by it, the spring L forcing the latch Q up through the link or shackle when the end of the latter has passed the latch. The device therefore, it will be seen, is self-coupling and the link or shackle may be disconnected at any time by forcing down the frame M and latch Q through the medium of lever P, and this lever is retained in an upward position, to prevent the casual lowering of the frame and latch, by means of a fastening, S, arranged in any proper way.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

1. The arrangement of the springs I J, rod 0, springs E, pivoted draw-head B, and spring L, in combination with the frame of the car, substantially in the manner and for the purpose herein described.

2. The pivoted draw-head B and spring L, 

